CARL FROCH believes he is at his peak, hitting harder and more accurately than at any point in his career. Five months have elapsed since one frightful right hand smeared George Groves all over the canvas at Wembley Stadium, and the memories still bring an audible smile to the super-middleweight. It remains the pinnacle of his career, and one he is wary of trying to top. He is keeping fit, evaluating his options, and enjoying the final months of an โamazing year.โ
The IBF champion is currently being called out by another young domestic contender in James DeGale, but retirement would be favoured over that assignment. The names of Gennady Golovkin and, specifically, Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr carry more interest to the 37-year-old.
โMy legacy is at stake,โ Froch explained while gleefully cycling into a headwind. โYouโve got to give the fans what they want and from what Iโm hearing, thatโs not DeGale. Itโs a massive risk in terms of whether anybody wants to see it. The problem is he hasnโt fought anybody. The hardcore boxing fan might want to see the fight but Iโve crossed over to the mainstream now.โ
DeGale has accused Froch of โswervingโ him, and the outspoken pursuit brings back bad memories of Grovesโ behaviour during their two-fight rivalry.
โThe more I hear him talking rubbish and nonsense with his manager Ambrose Mendy, the more it puts me off,โ Froch admitted. โNot only is not really a big fight, Iโd also have to spend three-and-half months listening to another pair of plonkers. I deserve more respect than that.โ
Frochโs name has been linked with Golovkin after the middleweight dished out his latest thrashing to Marco Antonio Rubio last week.
โYou canโt be anything but impressed with him,โ the Briton observed. โBut heโs doing it against mediocre opposition. He looks great but you canโt judge him fully because he hasnโt been in with the elite. Also, heโs not yet Pay-Per-View and what I donโt want to do is talk about a middleweight, whoโs smaller than me, and is not talking about me. The fight that does make sense is Chavez. Heโs walking around two stone heavier than me and is 100 per cent Pay-Per-View, and would provide me with the motivation I need at this stage of my career.โ
But Froch, a proud father of two, revealed that he will turn his back on the sport if the right fight does not present itself.
โIf I donโt get the fight I want I will happily retire,โ he said. โIโve had a wonderful, glossy, fantastic career and I have nothing left to prove. Iโve not been given anything on a plate, Iโve had to fight every step of the way.โ
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